46 C.C. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
“Early in April I saw a pair of Cuckoos at Leckhampton : 
this is the first time I have seen a pair so early. 
“ At Whittington I observed a Magpie’s nest built in an ash 
tree, a fine well-made nest. On lifting off the dome, I found seven 
eggs. It seems that there are two species of Magpie,—Tree and 
Bush. The Bush Magpie, though not so brilliant in colour as the 
other, and having shorter tail feathers, makes a far better talker, 
while its nest is made more loosely and may be found embedded 
in high hedges. 
“T found nine eggs of the Song Thrush this year devoid of 
the customary black spots. 
‘“‘ Ham Lane is a good place for taking notes. There I found 
a Butcher-bird’s nest containing four young ones. The parent 
birds had spiked a Robin some six or seven yards from the nest. 
While watching I noticed that they plucked every feather off the 
Robin before giving any to their young and they did not cease 
fetching portions of flesh till all was consumed. 
“Many people say that the Swift ascends and keeps away 
from sun-set till sun-rise; but whenever I have searched, whether 
during the breeding season or not, J have always found both birds 
at home.” 
